That's been on my mind for the past couple of days. What makes us different? What separates us from anyone else? There has to be something or else why would Christianity be anything to desire? Why would anyone come to Christ if our lives do not show that Christ offers something different and better than the world and ourselves outside of Him?
The question popped into my mind as I was with other Christians. If a non-believer was in our midst, would anything in how we were set us apart from them? Not in a way of being "holier" or "better", but would there be a difference? If none of us said a thing about the faith we subscribed to, would they know that we were Christians? That something was different about us?
I think we're set apart by our perspective (the way we see things and through Whom we see everything), our objective (why we do things) and for whose behalf we act on (not our own).
Perspective. Knowing what eternity offers so that we are not concerned with the material or discouraged with our temporary circumstances. Knowing the worth that God has placed on the human soul and doing all we can to love them above all else, because we realize that's more important than anything, including furthering ourselves. Our perception of tragedy, disappointment, and even seemingly good circumstance is affected by Jesus. Like a filter on Instagram, Jesus affects how the world looks to a Christian.
We are characterized by our words (uplifting, encouraging, and unifying - to build up, not break down, yet still saturated in truth) and our attitude, which like our perspective is determined not by circumstances, but set upon the unchanging goodness of our Lord. It is always hopeful, always knowing that the Ultimate Positive (that is, love that breeds grace and all that it leans to for eternity) remains untainted by anything else we may experience.
This is what sets us apart. And this is what we must openly display and champion. Not in order to assert that we are holy (for in ourselves, we are not), not as a claim that we are better than anyone else, but that everything we are bears testament to the One who is better. Our difference lies in the fact that we are not of ourselves, but that Jesus shines through us so that people many see Him, be drawn to Him, and want Him in them as well.
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